(_Bringing a big one over from window._) This one? THEODORE TRAVERS. That's more the thing, and then, let me see, the old man--he won't sit anywhere, he'll stand in front of the fire and try to look like a stained-glass window; and then the girl---- TED MORRIS. What girl! THEODORE TRAVERS. Oh, a _protégée_ of the step-mater's--a dear little thing--suggests roses and old Chippendale. (_Takes chair to window_.) She can sit over here near me. (_At window, he looks out._) Ah, there's the carriage going away now. They are here evidently--all on the stairs in different degrees of exhaustion. MRS. BEN DIXON. (_Without._) Well, we can't go any higher; it must be this. (_Door opens, and in bustles breezily Mrs. Ben Dixon. She is a kindly, blunt, slightly vulgar woman of about forty. Her style in dress is pronounced._) Yes. Here they are, both of them. The young villains! Oh, you bad boy! Oh, you bad girl! I'll never forgive you, neither of you. Come and kiss me. (_She embraces Nelly._) (_She is followed in by Mr. Ben Dixon and Primrose Deane. Mr. Ben Dixon is an unctuous, plausible, smiling old humbug. He is dressed with the nicest regard to ostentatious respectability. Primrose is a sweet, childish girl._) MR. BEN DIXON. So we have run you to earth at last, you young rogues. (_He kisses Nelly and introduces her to Primrose._) MRS. BEN DIXON. Run them to earth! Run them to air you mean. (_Referring to Tea's proffered hand._) Lord help the boy, I don't want that. I want a kiss. What's the good of being an aunt if you can't kiss your good-looking young nephews? (_Embraces him._) Oh, I am cross with you. I'm going to tell you both what I think of you as soon as I get my breath back. NELLY MORRIS. Don't be angry, aunt. We were only waiting for Ted to pass. MRS. BEN DIXON. Pass what? The Bankruptcy Court? NELLY MORRIS. No; his final examination. He's nearly a full-blown surgeon. MRS. BEN DIXON. What! Ted going in for doctoring! MR. BEN DIXON. (_Standing before the fire._) A noble and useful profession! Also, I believe, exceedingly remunerative. THEODORE TRAVERS. And one which atones for its folly in assisting people into the world by its efficacy in assisting them out of it again. MRS. BEN DIXON. Oh, do you be quiet, Theo; I got you to go on in front on purpose that you should have a quiet twenty minutes' talk all to yourself, and so give us a chance when we came. THEODORE TRAVERS. All right, mater--all right, if you think this is your scene, I'll talk aside up stage Right. There's not room for the two of us I know. MRS. BEN DIXON. (_To Nelly._) Wonderful boy that, if only he wouldn't fancy that God Almighty made the universe just to hear what he would say about it. (_Nelly laughs._) PRIMROSE DEANE. Oh, I think it must be so beautiful to be a doctor, and to help people in pain and sickness. I should so like to be a nurse. TED MORRIS. I'm sure you'd make a very sweet and helpful one. MRS. BEN DIXON.